When neighbours found the female horse in Victoria Road , they were concerned that it had been abandoned as it was tied up and left overnight.

One person knew a stable which took on rescue horses and wondered if they might be able to help.

The stable's owner - who asked not to be named - did not hesitate in taking in the mare.

"The horse had been there for such a long time, the way it was tied and left with no water or food, it would probably have collapsed if it was left any longer, so we took her straight to the stables.

"People said they saw the horse from about 4pm the day before [Saturday, November 1] and by the time we had got her transport to move her it was around 3pm so she was out there for almost 24 hours.

"She was very thirsty, full of worms and had scabs all over her. She also had problems with walking but we have got her on a care plan now.

"In just that short space of time from when we picked her up she has really perked up," she said.

A horse abandoned in Victoria Road, Uxbridge, on Sunday, November 2, 2014.

The animal is now eating and drinking normally and a vet will visit the stable tomorrow (Wednesday, November 5) to insert a microchip and issue the horse an equine passport - which became a compulsory requirement for foals in 2005.

The stable owner said she could not have left it outside for another day.

"If I had known she was out there for another night I don't think I would have been able to sleep.

"We will now look after the horse and make sure she is brought back to health," she said.

The 24-year-old, who also lives in Cowley, said at the time: "If something so horrible needs to happen to spark a a change in the law that protects horses then perhaps something good will come of this."